Franklin Insurance Agent Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Over $100,000 From Elderly Client

Scott Rolin, 56, of Franklin, Tenn., and former insurance agent, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw, Jr., to 18 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for stealing over $100,000 from his elderly client, announced United States Attorney David Rivera.

“Rolins used his position of trust to exploit a vulnerable woman and steal her life savings,” said United States Attorney Rivera. “It is my hope that the sentenced imposed today sends a clear message that victimization of elderly citizens will be thoroughly investigated, swiftly prosecuted and fairly punished.”

Evidence set forth during Rolin’s guilty plea and sentencing hearing established that he was a licensed insurance broker who owned and operated a Franklin, Tenn.-based insurance agency, Steele Rolin Co. In 2010, he sold two annuity policies worth over $175,000 to one of his existing clients, an elderly widow and former employee of the United States Postal Service.

The evidence also established that Rolin took numerous steps to engender the victim’s trust, including visiting her home, attending family events, referring to her as “mother” and sending her Mother’s Day cards.

Between 2011 and 2015, Rolin made numerous withdrawals from the victim’s accounts without her knowledge or authorization. In order to take the victim’s money, Rolin sent fraudulent disbursement requests to the company that issued the annuity policies, forged the victim’s signature on the resulting checks and deposited the money into his personal and business accounts. He used the embezzled funds to pay various personal expenses. In sum, Rolin stole over $100,000 of the victim’s money over a three-year period.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis.